Hello 2024! I have found that the New Year doesn’t come in with bells and whistles. There are parties that provide them, but it comes in with a whisper. And it whispers, this is going to be a great year. It is up to each of us to make it great.

It has been a short 63 years around this sun. And I have seen a lot of new years come and go. We all make those important resolutions, about what we are going to do to make the new year grand. Lose weight, change our bad habits, fish more, or something else we want to achieve. Most of the time we end up disappointed because we have tried and fallen back into what we were trying to achieve.

I make the same resolution every year. It’s simple too. I plan to be the best me I can be. It sounds so stupid, but it is the best I have ever made. Simple but so fulfilling too. What can I do to achieve my goal? Do my best at everything I do, no matter how simple it is.

Make a difference in the lives of others is something I believe in. It isn’t hard to do, but when you set out to do it each and every day you are living the resolution to its fullest. By being a difference you are being the best you can be! A simple hello, a smile, a laugh, a small wave hello, a door held, an open ear and heart, an acknowledgement of mattering, all things that can change a moment, a day, or a life.

But there are so many other things we can do to be the best we can be. When it comes to fishing, it requires us to live life fully. One of the best television show I grew up watching was “The Southern Outdoorsman” with Franc White. He flew a zebra striped plane and taught us fishing, hunting, and how to be a true sportsman. He also taught us to cook. He wrote cookbooks and even opened a chain of restaurants. But he wasn’t just a television personality who tried to sell us good. He taught us that we had to share our passion for the outdoors with the youth. He closed every show reminding us to “Do yourself a favor, take a kid fishing!”
That has never left me. I try my best to engage kids about fishing every opportunity I get. It doesn’t matter where it is either. Walmart, Bass Pro, Church, the fair, or even at the lake or pond. And don’t forget even at the Expos. It makes them feel important and makes them want to go. You are engaging them in something that they can get hooked on. Let the parents know about places they can take them and events that they can attend. You are making a difference.

For me, I plan to try and learn a new technique every year. Or even if it something that I am just weak at, I try to improve on it. I know what my strengths are, and I know I will be using them over and over. But if we want to improve out fishing game, we need to learn something new that will help us when the fishing is tough.

I am not the best jig angler, but through a lot of use, I have learned that it is a great weapon for landing some big bass. I love the Missile Baits Mini Flip Out the best. And I have caught a ton of bass on it now. I have learned to use different trailers to change the fall and action of the jig. It didn’t happen overnight. I had to go out and only use it to figure out the feel of what it is like to crawl it along the bottom. But I am so glad I did.

I like crankbaits, but was never great at it. I may not be great, but I am not afraid of them. I learned from John Crews about how to use them, what it is like to crawl them through cover. My favorite is the Fat John 60 by SPRO. It is one John designed. But by talking to John and listening to other pros that love a crankbait I have made myself better with them.

One other technique I tried to use but never had much luck with is a drop shot. I listed to the pros and tried to get better. But it was by fishing with others who used it,I have learned to really enjoy using it. One of the things I learned is that it takes patience. I bought some Missile Baits Bomb Shots from the Richmond Fishing Expo and went out and caught a 6 pound bass off the bank. Yes, my first catch on a drop shot! One bass that has lead to many more. And then fishing the Magic Worm on it with Jacob Stephens in a tournament. I am hooked now.

Learning to improve your fishing game is all about being the best you, you can be. Learn something new to make your decision making better. Learn to improve on something you use and make it work better for you. It isn’t difficult today. Today we have the internet and YouTube to go to for anything we want. When I was growing up it was from others and when you got to talk with the big anglers like Hank Parker, Bill Dance and plenty of the older pros, it was an eye opening experience. The fishing expos offer a lot of seminars where we can listen to the pros and other anglers. We get to ask questions of them all. Take advantage of it every chance you get.

Who are you going to be this year? The same person you were, or the best you, you can be. Make a difference in the lives of others! And take a kid fishing! And by the way, I’m still a kid, at least at heart, so you can take me. What questions do you want to ask the pros? Let me know and let’s see if we can find out the answer!